I count my blessings, many and numerous, and am filled with gratitude aplenty.
Our winter holiday is a cherished, important, annual respite, spent each season at home, with my parents, in Connecticut.
We are blessed to spend almost the entire sacred, two week getaway in none other than our flannel jammies, curled up at the fire with the good old fashioned printed books, glossy stacks of shelter mags, and all of our favorite films on Apple TV.
Heaven.
You have seen the culinary wonders that my parents endlessly whip up for us, for every meal, for weeks on end, whilst we visit.
Now, catch a glimpse of the pretty as a picture paradise that they call home.
Farmington, you know, is the second oldest village in Connecticut.
The Indians named it Tunxis, meaning “the bend in the river”.
It is quite literally, over the river and through the woods, to Grandmother’s house we go.
It is plucked right out of a Norman Rockwell painting.
And don’t even THINK about altering history.
Every single house along Main Street is painted a pearly white.
Except this ONE.
Georgian brick, and the most elegant carved wooden fence I have EVER seen.
I haven’t checked city code, but I am pretty sure it goes something like this:
Paired English Garden Topiary required along walkways and flanking doors.
And centuries old stone walls abound…
This painted gate stands all of thirty six inches high.
Fresh from Snow White’s cottage with the darling dwarves.
Every home proudly displays it’s circa.
This little painted gem is none other than the Village Library.
Perfection.
I could spend eternity inside…and, as a matter of fact, we pretty much do while on holiday.
Did you know Jackie O spent four years right here, in far away Farmington, at Miss Porter’s?
In 1945, her father Hugh packed her Newport bags and started at the famous finishing school.
Fear not, Jackie brought her favorite horse, Danseuse along with her.
Bien sur.
My dormitory looked not a wee bit like this one.
Hard to leave, and return to city life once again.
As my seven year old says almost daily “it is so peaceful here”.
Our busy city lives back at home beckon – and the holidays must end.
Luckily, we enjoy not just one annual across the globe visit with my parents, but three.
It is difficult to have young children, and have the grandparents so far away, unable to share all the small, delicious moments.
We are already counting down to the next annual familial pilgrimage..
Nantucket – just a June away.
Soooooo lovely, Debi. You are a great photographer and you create beautiful picture stories. Ahhhh…
You are too sweet.
Thank you darling Debbie.
-Debi